JEALOUS” by Labrinth fills my car as I start the engine. On my way to pick up Cara and Rhett from the after-school care they go to twice a week, I’m about to reverse when I get the shock of my life.
Something sharp presses to the side of my neck, and a man’s deep voice demands, “Don’t move.”
I put the car back into park, my eyes darting around frantically, but the parking lot is empty as far as I can see, everyone already gone home for the day.
“What do you want?” I ask, my trembling voice giving away just how scared I am.
My bag was on the passenger seat, in clear view. If that’s what he wants, hopefully he just takes it and leaves without hurting me.
“I need you to give a message to the Wind Dragons for me,” the man says, gripping my hair from the side of my head. The knife digs into my skin further, rendering me motionless. I barely breathe as his lips come close to my ear. I look up in the rearview mirror, but all I see is light hair and a mask.
How did I not see anyone in my car? What is wrong with me? I need to learn to pay more attention, to be more careful. I wait for the message, but as he bangs my head against the steering wheel, I realize that that is the message. The man leaves my car and I sit there, shaking. I touch my fingers to my neck, there’s luckily only a streak of blood there. I lock the car doors and pull out my phone with trembling hands. First, I call Tia and ask her to pick up the kids, then I make another call. I don’t have Rake’s number, so I call Anna.
“Hey, beautiful, I was just thinking about you,” she says cheerfully.
I stay silent, not sure what to say and still in shock.
“Bailey . . . ?”
“Can you come and get me?” I ask her quietly.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, her tone turning serious. “Bailey, where are you?”
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “But something kind of just happened. I’m in my school parking lot.”
“Are you safe?” she asks. “I’ll be there in ten. I’m getting on Arrow’s bike as we speak.”
I hear Rake in the background asking Anna what the hell is going on.
And as stupid as it sounds, I hope he comes with her.
* * *
I’m sitting in the Wind Dragons’ clubhouse after explaining in detail to Sin, Rake, and Arrow what happened.
“Church, now,” Sin suddenly demands, storming out of the room.
All the men follow him. Rake looks at me once more before walking out of the room.
I look to Anna. “They’re going to pray? They’re religious? What the . . .”
Her green eyes lighten. “No, they’re going to have a meeting to discuss what to do with the situation.”
“Ohh,” I mutter, cheeks heating a little.
She wraps her arm around me and pulls me in close. “I can’t believe someone targeted you. Who would do that? Who even knows you’re friends with us?”
“I saw the fight at Rift,” I suggest. “Maybe it has something to do with that?”
“Maybe,” Anna agrees. “Can I get you something to drink? A coffee?”
I nod. “Sure, coffee sounds great.”
She leads me into the kitchen and pours while I sit at the table.
Lana rushes in, a bunch of books in her hand. She puts them on the table and pushes her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. “What’s going on? Tracker said I needed to get here ASAP without stopping anywhere.”
Anna gives her a rundown while placing coffee in front of the two of us.
“Are you all right, Bailey?” Lana asks me, her brown eyes filled with worry.
“I’m fine,” I tell her. “Tia messaged and the kids are both safe with her at her house. I’m a little freaked out, but I’m okay. I wasn’t hurt.”
“The men will handle it,” Lana says assuredly, placing her hand on mine. I look to the pile of books she brought with her and see a familiar one. “Hey, I’ve read that book. Zada Ryan’s awesome. Her sex scenes are . . . hoooottt.”
“I’m glad the three of you are having a good time in here,” Rake says in a dry tone as he walks in, grabbing my attention, his gaze roaming over me before he stands next to Anna, wrapping her in his arms. “So,